May 16, 2020

Who would have guessed a year ago that we would be in the uncertain times we now find ourselves in?

When will we be able to meet again as a church?

Will children's ministry ever be the same? Do we need to change and have a different approach?

How much has the pandemic affected churches' budgets?

What can parents do to help ease the anxiety and stress their kids are feeling from not being about to get out?

Will things ever go back to "normal?" Is there going to be a new "normal?"

People are saying they were let go from their job due to the pandemic. How are they going to provide for their family?

These are just a few of the questions that many of us are thinking about as we take it one step at a time in these uncertain days.

It is so important to provide good leadership during these times. People are looking to you for help and it is critical that you respond. Let's look at some ways you can lead well in these uncertain days.

Communication. This is huge and this is the starting point. As people watch the turmoil that is happening, they want information about it. Keep communication frequent and ongoing. It is better to be known for over communicating instead of appearing to be out of touch with the current reality.

Collaboration. As the leader, it's important that the people on your team trust you. So how do you build trust during uncertain times?

One way you can do this is to acknowledge that you too, are being affected by the uncertainty of the day. This will build a bridge and help you connect on a personal level with your team. It shows you are in touch with their feelings and that you care about them. Get out (as much as possible in compliance with safety regulations) of your office and connect with your team members on a personal basis. This will help your team in a personal way.

During uncertainty, people want leaders who can communicate what to do and what not to do. Provide calm, timely, consistent updates to your team and those you lead.

Community. Tough times reminds us of how important it is to have people who can help you lead. Don't try to do this on your own. You must gather a close group of people who can help you lead well.

Core values. Core values can help you guide the team and is a reminder of why you are doing what you are doing. Even when everything else seems to be falling apart, bring your team back to your core values. This can help bring stability even when you feel like everything is falling apart. Your core values can guide you to make clear decisions.

Courage. Times of uncertainty definitely require courage. Great leaders act decisively. Silence will be interpreted as bad news. Keep your team informed and up-to-date on what is happening. It’s far better just to share what you do know and build
further credibility by being honest about the limits of your knowledge
and the sincere intention to stay as informed and communicative as
possible.